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News Nuggets: Should ‘New Girl’ split up Nick and Jess right now and make it permanent?

In an open letter to “New Girl” producers, Natalie Abrams asks for them to “stop trying to make Nick and Jess happen.” She proposes that once the two characters played by Jake Johnson and Zooey Deschanel paired up, “all the best parts of their personalities were dropped.” She wants the duo to “split now and make it permanent.” TV Guide.

Mark Harris contends the Motion Picture Academy “shot itself in the foot (again)” by giving out honorary Oscars outside of the actual ceremony. He says they were “banished” in 2009 to a separate event, but that “moments like these – emotional, contemplative, complicated – are why we watch the Academy Awards, or used to. It’s certainly not to see a 10th anniversary tribute to ‘Chicago’ or to watch Mark Wahlberg banter awkwardly with a teddy bear.” Grantland.

Anne Thompson proclaims Bruce Dern (“Nebraska“) will absolutely receive an Oscar nomination this year by saying “the actors in the Academy will not deny him the ultimate accolade.” In an interview feature she also jokes that he is “eating up the attention like a thirsty planet” while making so many speaking appearances. Thompson on Hollywood.

Dave McNary breaks news that there will be a sequel to the 1946 classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Bob Farnsworth and Martha Bolton have written a new screenplay that will focus on the grandson of characters played by Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Original cast member Karolyn Grimes, who played the little girl Zuzu in the first film, would portray an angel. Producers plan on a Christmas release in 2015. Variety.

Kristopher Tapley interviews Joel and Ethan Coen in advance of their 16th feature film, “Inside Llewyn Davis.” He calls the siblings “notoriously difficult interviews,” but that they “collectively make for one of the most vital voices in all of American art.” The music-based movie stars Oscar Isaac as a New York folk singer. Hitfix.